Wild Glamping Knuckles | The Adventure Travel Site

A Day Trip to the Knuckles Mountain Range

Embark on a day trip to the Knuckles Mountain Range, a hidden gem in the heart of Sri Lanka. This rugged landscape promises a day filled with nature’s wonders and breathtaking views.

Scenic Drive through Knuckles Pass

Begin your journey with a scenic drive through Knuckles Pass, surrounded by lush greenery and mist-kissed mountains. The winding roads offer glimpses of hidden valleys and cascading waterfalls, setting the tone for a day of exploration.

Hike to Mini World’s End

Lace up your hiking boots and trek to Mini World’s End, a vantage point that rewards you with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The moderate hike is a perfect blend of challenge and tranquillity, providing an intimate experience with nature.

Visit Corbett’s Gap

Make a stop at Corbett’s Gap, which is just a 21-minute car drive from Wild Glamping Knuckles. It is an open grassy area offering unobstructed views of the Knuckles range. The cool breeze and scenic beauty make it an ideal spot for a picnic or simply to pause and absorb the natural serenity that envelops the mountains.

Explore Pitawala Pathana

Conclude your day at Pitawala Pathana, a vast plain atop the Knuckles Range. The grass-covered plateau provides an ideal setting for relaxation and photography. Take a leisurely stroll and absorb the tranquillity of this unique landscape before heading back. After a day well spent in the embrace of nature, head back to one of the hotels near Knuckles Mountain Range for some much-deserved rest.

Glamping and Hiking in the Beautiful Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka may be known for its tropical climate and its beaches. But it also contains some amazing hiking trails and camping experiences that one cannot miss out on.

What is Glamping?

Even if many may have heard of wild glamping in Knuckles, they may not always know what glamping is. Well, while it is like camping where you are expected to sleep outside in a tent, glamping is more luxurious. Although you would be sleeping in a tent, you would get a proper bed and even a functioning toilet. Thus, it is ideal for those who don’t want to rough house.

The Knuckles Mountain Range

Riverston in Knuckles range, Laggala – Image via Flickr

When it comes to Kandy and hiking, the Knuckles Mountain Range Hiking trail is one of the most popular trails out there. That is because this mountain range has thirty-four peaks and covers an area of eighty-one square miles.

Hiring a Guide

Hiking may seem like a solitary activity, but when it comes to the Knuckles Mountain Range, it is recommended to hire a guide. That is because of the sheer size of this reserve. Therefore, there is a good chance of wandering away from the track and getting lost. Furthermore, having a local who knows the flora and fauna of the area would make the experience more enriching.

What to Wear When Hiking

Hiking in the Knuckles can be a long and exhausting experience. Therefore, it is recommended that hikers wear comfortable clothes along with covered shoes and socks. This is especially important if you want to avoid leeches. That is another reason why you should wear long pants.

The Knuckles Forest Reserve

The Knuckles Mountain Range is located in the central highlands of Kandy and is a famous range of mountains that dissect the central province from the Matale District.

A Biodiverse Hotspot

The Knuckles are considered a biodiversity hotspot and are situated at 3000 ft above sea level covering an area of 21 hectares. The range has five peaks: Kirigalpoththa, Gombaniya, Knuckles, Koboneelagala and Dotulugala.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The misty mountains were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in in 2009 after being declared a climate reserve in 1873. It is one of two UNESCO World Heritage nature sites in the country and is home to many Knuckles Sri Lanka hotels.

Climate and Weather

The climate in the Knuckles can range from very hot to freezing cold. During the season of January to March, there are instances of reported frost on the higher elevations.

Distinct Features

The Knuckles massif separates the hills of the Dumbara valley in a deep gorge. There are many picturesque waterfalls and several hiking trails each with their distinct features. Wild Glamping Knuckles is one of the ways you can choose to spend a comfortable hike in the mountains.

The Forest Reserve Diversity

The reserve has a list of 1033 species of plants of which 15% are endemic to the region. There are 128 species of birds, 31 species of mammals and 20 species of amphibians.

A Hiker’s Guide to Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Mountain Range

The knuckles mountain range lies in central Sri Lanka and is a popular spot for hikers. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the ideal location for those interested in hiking. Here’s more information for you!

Hiking the mountain range

Considered a rather tough hiking trail in the country, it’s best attempted by those who have a history of experience behind them. It’s best if you have a guide when exploring Knuckles Sri Lanka, hotels in the vicinity such as the unique Wild Glamping Knuckles as it’s easy to lose track of where you are!

Mini World’s End

Located south of the mountain range lies ‘Mini World’s End’, as the name suggests, is a 1,192-metre cliff offering the best views of the mountains. The trail begins at the Knuckles Conservation Centre and is roughly 1.5 kilometres in length.

Nitro Caves

Another popular trail is the nature trail leading to the Nitro Caves, a massive cave that hundreds of bats call home. This 11-kilometre trek begins at the Corbett’s Gap and takes roughly five hours to complete.

Tips

Although streams are aplenty, there is a high chance some of them may have dried up. Therefore, it is best to bring enough water bottles and re-fill them at every stream you pass!